How much does asbestos removal cost in the UK?

If you're dealing with potential asbestos in your home or building, the cost is usually the first thing on your mind. Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple, one-size-fits-all figure. For an average three-bedroom house in the UK, asbestos removal can range anywhere from £300 to £20,000, depending on the type of asbestos product, how much of it is present, and where it’s located.

You might also need to pay for an asbestos survey, air monitoring, waste disposal, and potentially reinstatement works. It’s important to understand that asbestos removal isn’t a small job, and it should never be cut short or done on the cheap. Asbestos is a deadly material, and there are strict laws around how it must be handled, removed, and disposed of.

What affects the cost of asbestos removal?

The cost isn’t really about the “type of asbestos” (chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, etc.), as all types can appear across a wide range of building products. Instead, it’s the type of asbestos product that makes the difference.

Several factors influence how much you'll pay to remove asbestos safely and legally:

• Size and complexity of the job: A single ceiling or garage roof will cost far less than an entire house with asbestos insulation board (AIB) in multiple rooms.
• Type of asbestos: Materials like chrysotile (white asbestos) are cheaper to remove than more dangerous forms like amosite or crocidolite, which require tighter controls.
• Condition of the material: While condition doesn’t always change the removal price directly, badly damaged asbestos can require additional decontamination of surrounding areas. For example, if a crumbling panel has already contaminated surfaces, that cleanup work will add to the cost.
• Location and accessibility: This is one of the biggest cost factors. If asbestos is under floors, above ceilings, or behind walls, it isn’t just about removing the asbestos — the building materials around it need to be dismantled and reinstated afterwards.
• Legal compliance: If the asbestos is licensed (like AIB or lagging), the work must be notified to the HSE 14 days in advance, and carried out with airlocks, negative pressure, and decontamination units.
• Licensed vs non-licensed products: Products are generally classified as either licensed (high-risk) or non-licensed (lower-risk). Licensed products usually contain much higher asbestos content — anywhere from 50% up to 100% asbestos — and require strict control measures. Non-licensed products often contain between 1% and 20% asbestos, sometimes more, but are less likely to release dangerous fibres under normal handling.
• Decontamination requirements: The more friable the product and the higher the potential exposure, the more equipment

Bottom line: the more complex, dangerous, or restricted the material — the higher the cost.

Average Asbestos Removal Prices (UK, 2025)

Here are some of the most common asbestos products found in UK homes. Let's use a three-bedroom house to explain typical removal costs.

Asbestos Garage Roofs

One of the best-known asbestos jobs is a garage roof made from cement sheets. An average UK garage roof is around 12.5 to 15 m², and removal costs are usually £900 to £1,100. This includes dismantling, removal, and disposal.

Asbestos Textured Coatings (Artex)

Extremely common in three-bedroom homes, textured coatings can cover large areas of ceilings and walls. Costs vary depending on the size of the job — small patches can be disproportionately expensive. On average a typical three-bedroom house may have about 80 m² of Artex ceiling, leading to removal costs of £4,500 to £6,500.

Soffits, Fascia Boards & Undercloaking

These are widespread in UK housing. Prices depend on the size of the property, but for an average three-bedroom house with around 30 linear metres of asbestos cement soffits, removal costs are usually £1,100 to £1,400.
30lm of asbestos insulation board used as soffits however will easily cost £6,000–£8,000.

Asbestos Cement Flues

Found with old boiler systems, flues vary massively in size and complexity. Removal prices start from around £350 for a small section, up to £900 for a flue running through an entire property.

Asbestos Floor Tiles & Bitumen Adhesive

Floor tiles themselves are not the most expensive asbestos product to remove, typically found on ground floors bonded to concrete. For 40 m² of tiles, removal costs are usually £1,500 to £2,200.

The bigger problem is the bitumen adhesive underneath the tiles. This often has to be dissolved with chemical solutions or mechanically ground away — both complicated and labour-intensive methods. For 40 m², expect costs between £3,000 and £4,500.

Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB)

A licensed product that is still found in domestic settings, often under stairs or in boiler cupboards. Removal is charged per enclosure, not per square metre. Typical jobs cost around £2,500 or more, whether under a staircase or inside a cupboard.

Pipe Lagging

One of the most dangerous asbestos products, but less commonly found in standard three-bedroom houses. Pipe lagging was expensive to install originally, so it’s usually seen in larger homes or commercial properties. Removal is very costly — even the smallest sections can start at £2,000, with larger jobs far exceeding that.

Asbestos removal costs in the UK are highly variable because every property and every asbestos product is different. But it’s important to remember that removal is not the only expense. Once asbestos has been taken out, you’ll also need to consider reinstatement costs — replacing ceilings, floors, soffits, cupboards, or other building elements. In many cases, reinstatement can be just as expensive as the removal itself.

Because of these complexities, the most important step is to get a professional asbestos survey first. A survey will confirm exactly what products are present, how much there is, and what methods will be required for safe removal and reinstatement. That way, you’ll have a clear picture of the full cost before any work begins.

Can you remove asbestos yourself?

Yes — but only in very limited cases,and even then, it’s rarely recommended.

Legal vs illegal removal

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the rules apply to employees at work — not private individuals in their own homes. This creates a loophole: as a homeowner, you can technically remove asbestos yourself, because the law does not prevent individuals from causing harm to themselves. However, this only applies if:

• You are working in your own property
• No money or benefit is exchanged
• No one else is exposed or helping you

So in theory, yes, homeowners can legally remove certain asbestos materials. But in practice, it makes very little sense to do so. 

Even the cheapest asbestos-rated vacuum (needed for decontamination) costs around £500, and professional-grade equipment, protective clothing, and respiratory gear add up quickly. Removal itself is only a fraction of the job — decontamination and preventing exposure are the real challenges.

Many homeowners also believe they’ve safely removed asbestos, but in reality they may have contaminated the entire house. 

And even if you invest heavily in equipment and PPE, you still have to legally dispose of the asbestos at a licensed facility. At that point, a professional asbestos company often has to attend anyway to collect the waste — one of the most significant costs of the process.

In the end, the savings are minimal. A job that might cost £1,000 through a licensed contractor could still end up costing £800 or more if you attempt it yourself, with far higher personal risk. 

Licensed contractors already have the vans, equipment, training, and procedures to do the job correctly and safely. Attempting it yourself simply shifts a tiny part of the effort while exposing you to unnecessary danger.

It’s also important to note that you cannot legally expose anyone else to asbestos. You are only allowed to expose yourself, which means you should not involve helpers or family members.

The real risks of DIY

Even minimal exposure can cause life-threatening diseases such as mesothelioma. The cost of cutting corners? Potentially your health — or even criminal prosecution if you breach asbestos regulations.

What many people overlook is that the real risk isn’t just in the removal itself, but in the spread of contamination. Asbestos fibres are microscopic and can easily travel throughout the house on clothing, equipment, or in the air. Once they settle in carpets, furniture, or ventilation systems, they remain hazardous for decades.

Without specialist vacuums, negative pressure systems, and strict decontamination procedures, a DIY attempt can turn a small, contained job into a whole-house contamination problem. In that scenario, professional cleanup can cost far more than if the asbestos had been removed correctly in the first place.

Do councils or insurance cover asbestos removal?

Unfortunately, most insurance policies do not cover asbestos removal, unless directly related to an insured peril (like flood or fire damage).

Council schemes

Some local councils offer:

• Subsidised collection of bagged asbestos waste
• Low-cost removal for small domestic jobs
• Limits (e.g. 6–8 bags per year, specific weights)

Check your local authority’s website — these vary widely.

Insurance limitations

Standard home insurance policies typically exclude asbestos-related costs, unless:

• There’s damage from an insured event, like a fire
• You specifically added asbestos coverage (rare)

Mortgage lenders may still require asbestos removal before sale or refinancing.

Investing in Safety: Is Asbestos Removal Cost Worth It?

When asbestos is found in a property, the first reaction is often to ask: “What is the asbestos removal cost?” But before talking about price, it’s important to understand why using a licensed asbestos company matters so much.

Why asbestos removal is different from builders’ work

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking a general builder can “just take it out.” This is not only illegal — it’s dangerous. Builders without specialist training often spread asbestos fibres throughout the property, contaminating areas that were previously safe.

A licensed asbestos company works very differently. Our number one priority is not simply “removing” asbestos — removal itself is straightforward. The real challenge is ensuring the site is never contaminated and that exposure risks are minimised at every stage.

That’s why licensed companies invest in:

• Decontamination Units (DCUs) – ensuring operatives leave the site completely clean.
• Negative Pressure Units (NPUs) with HEPA filters – keeping the air inside enclosures clean and safe.
• Strict cleaning procedures – every surface is vacuumed and wiped multiple times, because cleaning is the most important part of the job.

This mindset is what separates licensed asbestos removal from unsafe shortcuts.

Why is asbestos removal cost so high?

Once you understand the process, the asbestos removal cost starts to make sense. The price is not just for the physical removal — it covers the equipment, compliance, and safety systems that protect you and your property.

Here’s where the cost comes from:

• Specialist equipment – NPUs cost thousands each, require HEPA filter changes, and must be certified every 6 months. Decontamination Units are maintained and tested after every project.
• Protective gear – operatives wear multiple disposable overalls, gloves, and mask filters each day, all of which must be replaced regularly.
• HSE requirements – licensed work must be notified to the HSE 14 days in advance, with detailed paperwork and method statements.
• Independent clearance testing – once removal is complete, an independent laboratory carries out air testing to confirm the area is safe.
• Trained operatives – staff undergo continuous training, annual medicals, and operate under strict supervision.

Each of these factors adds cost — but together, they guarantee the job is done safely and legally.

The true cost of cutting corners

Trying to save money by hiring the wrong contractor or attempting DIY removal is a false economy. The risks include:

• Contamination of your entire property – making cleanup far more expensive than proper removal.
• Health dangers – asbestos fibres cause fatal diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
• Legal consequences – unlicensed asbestos removal is a criminal offence with heavy fines.

In comparison, hiring a licensed asbestos company ensures the asbestos is contained, removed, and safely disposed of without exposing you or others.

FAQ

How do I know if my insulation board contains asbestos?

If your property was built before 1985, it's highly likely to contain asbestos. Between 1985–1990, the risk remains, though it’s lower. Properties built after 1900 are generally safe. The only way to be sure is to send a sample for laboratory testing.

Can I remove the Asbestos Insulation Board myself?

No. Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB) is a licensed and notifiable material. Its removal must be carried out by a company that holds a license from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). DIY removal is illegal and extremely dangerous due to the high fibre content and friable nature of AIB.

Why is asbestos removal so expensive?

AIB removal is a high-risk operation that involves:

• Bespoke airtight enclosure setup

• Negative pressure units

• Decontamination showers
• 20–30 pages of planning documentation
• Legal notification to the HSE

• Licensed waste disposal

All of these steps are mandatory and strictly regulated, making the process both time- and resource-intensive.

What documentation will I receive after the job?

You’ll receive a waste consignment note, which proves your asbestos was legally disposed of. This document contains a unique number traceable to the landfill where the material was delivered.

How long does asbestos removal take?

Most residential AIB removals can be done within 1–3 days, depending on the complexity of the project and the size of the area. However, notification to the HSE requires 14 days’ notice before any licensed work begins.

Is it safe to stay at home during the removal?

No. During the removal, the area is sealed in a fully controlled environment using airlocks and negative pressure units. While these systems prevent contamination, clients are advised to stay away until the 4-stage air test confirms it's safe to reoccupy.

Will the area be cleaned after removal?

Yes. Our team performs a multi-stage cleaning process including:

• H-type vacuuming

• Wet wiping all polythene and surfaces
• Abrasive cleaning of timber
• Final top-to-bottom enclosure clean
  All materials used in the enclosure are bagged and removed as asbestos waste.

Do I need to arrange reinstatement after removal?

Not necessarily. We have an in-house reinstatement team and trusted subcontractors to handle everything from plasterboard installation, electrical work, to cosmetic finishing—all managed by us.

Why choose Blue A?

At Blue A, we hold the maximum 3-year HSE asbestos removal licence, showing years of consistently high performance under HSE inspection. We are also:

• Constructionline Gold Members – trusted by councils, schools, and large organisations.
• Environment Agency licensed waste carriers – ensuring asbestos is legally transported and disposed of.
• Winners of multiple industry awards for our high standards and training.

Our focus is always on safety first — making sure your property remains contamination-free, while giving you complete peace of mind.

Final thoughts

When you look at the bigger picture, the asbestos removal cost is not simply about paying for labour — it’s about investing in safety, compliance, and health. Licensed asbestos removal protects your property, your family, and your future.